Newsletter: Tuesday, December 17th, 2024
NEWS
--A 34-year-old Brainerd woman died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday on an icy roadway in East Gull Lake. At 3:56pm the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls reporting a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on the Gull Lake Dam Road, near the intersection with Poplar Drive in East Gull Lake, Sheriff Bryan Welk reported. Deputies and first responders arrived on scene and learned a 2023 Ford Bronco was westbound on the Gull Lake Dam Road when it slowed due to a pickup parked in the westbound lane. The driver of the pickup was talking to a pedestrian who was walking on the roadway. The driver of the Bronco lost control on the icy roadway when attempting to slow down and struck the pedestrian. The woman, whose name has not been released, was treated on scene before being transported to a Brainerd hospital and later transferred to a St. Cloud hospital. She died Saturday from injuries suffered in the crash. An autopsy has been scheduled. A search warrant was executed and a blood sample was obtained from the driver of the Bronco, a 57-year-old Nisswa man, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Formal charges are pending.
--At least one person has died in a crash Monday morning in Benton County. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 6:40am a Lincoln MKZ sedan driven by a 67-year-old woman from Sauk Rapids was going north on 25th Avenue northeast, and a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by a 46-year-old St. Cloud man was going east on Highway 23 when they crashed in the intersection. The State Patrol says at least one person was killed in the crash but the names and conditions of the drivers and a 73-year-old woman passenger from Sauk Rapids in the Lincoln are unknown at this time. The State Patrol says more information will be released later today.
--Three people were hurt in a crash involving a semi and a passenger car. Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Jesse Grabow says the incident happened at the intersection of Highway 23 and Interstate 94 in Stearns County on Friday at about 6:30pm. A Freightliner semi was southbound on Highway 23 and attempted to make a left turn to enter the on-ramp to eastbound I-94. As the semi was crossing the northbound Highway 23 lanes a Toyota was going north and the vehicles collided. The driver and his two passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but were not taken to the hospital. The semi driver, 37-year-old Nancy Hernandez of Providence, Rhode Island, was not hurt, but was cited for failing to yield the right of way.
--The St. Cloud Police Department says two people nearly died in a multi-vehicle crash on Thursday afternoon. It occurred at the intersection of 41st Street South and County Road 75 near the industrial park. Commander Lori Ellering reveals in a press release that the accident was a head-on collision. A 65-year-old Blaine man was trying to turn left onto 41st when he collided with a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old man from St. Cloud headed north on 75. Both men were initially taken to St. Cloud Hospital before being transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where they are still hospitalized. Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident.
--Father Pierz School of Religion students will be caroling through Pierz Wednesday night 6-9pm. Motorists are asked to watch for the students and advisers out during the time going door to door singing Christmas Carols for the Reason for the Season in Pierz.
--Tim Sumner stated there are 45 meals remaining for Friday night. You must reserve a spot, pick up time or delivery options. Also it was reported that Helping Hands 365 is donating around 10 turkeys that night and if you would like a turkey for Christmas call Tim Sumner and ask for one of those, the dinner is a chicken dinner 4:30-7pm on Friday night at Royal Cafe. Call Tim for a spot today 320-632-2540.
--Pillager Area Fire and Rescue responded to a chimney fire at 9:21pm Thursday on Westwood Shores Drive Southwest in Cass County. According to a post on their Facebook page when Pillager Area Fire and Rescue crews arrived on scene they found smoke coming from the eaves of the home. The family was home at the time and were able to exit the home safely. Firefighters pulled a hose line to the second floor of the home and gained access to the interior attic, discovering flames were extending throughout the attic. Crews were also fighting the fire on the exterior of the house as well. The temperature at the time was 16 degrees below zero and colder wind chills. Pillager Area Fire and Rescue Chief Greg Ringler said he was proud of his crew as the work in the attic was extremely difficult. Mutual aid was requested from the Nisswa Fire Department, supplying both manpower and water. In total, 18 firefighters from Pillager and 14 from Nisswa responded. The home sustained extreme damage, the cause in under investigation. No injuries were reported.
NATIONAL NEWS
--A youth opened fire at a private Christian school Monday morning in Wisconsin, killing two people in the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died. Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes said in a news conference that officers responded to Abundant Life Christian School shortly before 11am and found "multiple" victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Madison police said shortly after 2pm that three were killed and seven were injured. Those injured suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Barnes said officers found the suspect, believed to be a juvenile student at the school, dead in the building. Their investigation is ongoing.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Randy and Stephanie Marx of Cushing, a boy born December 11th.
--Marvin Fields Jr. and Jalyssa Heldt of Little Falls, girl born 12-12.